TORONTO STAR | YOURTORONTO | THE_FIXERhttp://www.thestar.com/feeds.articles.yourtoronto.the_fixer.rss
YOURTORONTO THE_FIXERen-caTue, 3 Mar 2015 18:06:47 ESTTue, 3 Mar 2015 18:06:47 ESTCopyright Toronto Star 1996-2013 , http://www.thestar.com/termshttp://www.thestar.com60TORONTO STAR | YOURTORONTO | THE_FIXERhttp://www.thestar.com/etc/designs/thestar/images/general/thestar_250x40.pnghttp://www.thestar.com/feeds.articles.yourtoronto.the_fixer.rss
Slow pace of work on York Mills Rd. bridge annoys drivers: The Fixerhttp://www.thestar.com/yourtoronto/the_fixer/2015/03/03/slow-pace-of-work-on-york-mills-rd-bridge-annoys-drivers-the-fixer.html
10c41d77-8974-4e32-bffd-30f9c9901517Tue, 3 Mar 2015 17:09:31 EST<img src="http://www.thestar.com/content/dam/thestar/yourtoronto/the_fixer/2015/03/03/slow-pace-of-work-on-york-mills-rd-bridge-annoys-drivers-the-fixer/bridge-construction.jpg.size.xxlarge.original.jpg"><br/>Lane reductions in place since late summer cause rush hour delays, but there's been no work done on the bridge deck for months.
Jack Lakey - Staff ReporterThe centre lanes of a bridge on York Mills Rd., just east of Leslie St., are closed for long-term construction, which can cause backups when traffic volume is high.TORONTO STARConstruction is gone, but signs of it linger on Leslie St.: The Fixerhttp://www.thestar.com/yourtoronto/the_fixer/2015/03/02/construction-is-gone-but-signs-of-it-linger-on-leslie-st-the-fixer.html
61206934-6ad6-482d-94ff-bf4195d549e4Mon, 2 Mar 2015 18:50:23 EST<img src="http://www.thestar.com/content/dam/thestar/yourtoronto/the_fixer/2015/03/02/construction-is-gone-but-signs-of-it-linger-on-leslie-st-the-fixer/expired-construction-sign.JPG.size.xxlarge.original.jpg"><br/>The city is much better at putting up temporary signs to warn drivers of construction than it is at taking them down.
Jack Lakey - Staff ReporterTemporary road signs were put up last summer on Leslie St., alerting drivers to Finch Ave. construction on Sept. 20, but they have yet to be taken down.JACK LAKEYTORONTO STARTTC Week: Readers hail good deeds by transit workers: Fixerhttp://www.thestar.com/yourtoronto/the_fixer/2015/03/01/ttc-week-readers-hail-good-deeds-by-transit-workers-fixer.html
35f53089-0acc-4c14-8801-7751581c94c5Sun, 1 Mar 2015 18:15:34 EST<img src="http://www.thestar.com/content/dam/thestar/yourtoronto/the_fixer/2015/03/01/ttc-week-readers-hail-good-deeds-by-transit-workers-fixer/fixer-bus.jpg.size.xxlarge.original.jpg"><br/>A passenger said he got choked up watching a TTC driver help a disabled person who fell while boarding the Ossington bus.
Jack Lakey - Staff ReporterReaders provided us with many examples of TTC drivers and employees who go above and beyond their job requirements to assist the public.Jack LakeyToronto StarTTC Week: Metropass users feel penalized for loyalty: The Fixerhttp://www.thestar.com/yourtoronto/the_fixer/2015/02/27/ttc-week-metropass-users-feel-penalized-for-loyalty-the-fixer.html
c4e7feb3-cfdd-47ff-bb5b-e8ae7845fcafFri, 27 Feb 2015 15:18:30 EST<img src="http://www.thestar.com/content/dam/thestar/yourtoronto/the_fixer/2015/02/27/ttc-week-metropass-users-feel-penalized-for-loyalty-the-fixer/sticker.jpg.size.xxlarge.original.jpg"><br/>They pay a premium for the convenience of a pass, when buying tokens is actually cheaper for some riders.
Jack Lakey - Staff ReporterThe price of a monthly Metropass just increased to $141.50, or the equivalent of 50 tokens, but the TTC says it is much cheaper if customers opt for a year's worth of passes under its discount plan, and file for tax credits.TTC HANDOUTTTC Week: Are more washrooms an urgent matter?http://www.thestar.com/yourtoronto/the_fixer/2015/02/25/ttc-week-more-washrooms-mignt-not-be-an-urgent-matter-fixer.html
82e0bac7-0826-4dcb-b4a2-954e7bce242eWed, 25 Feb 2015 13:09:10 EST<img src="http://www.thestar.com/content/dam/thestar/yourtoronto/the_fixer/2015/02/25/ttc-week-more-washrooms-mignt-not-be-an-urgent-matter-fixer/img5291jpg.jpg.size.xxlarge.original.jpg"><br/>Readers asked why there aren't public washrooms in all 69 stations, but the TTC says it would be prohibitively expensive.
Jack Lakey - Staff ReporterCustomers were delighted when the TTC refurbished its washrooms in 2012, but it may have raised unrealistic expectations about adding them to more stations.
JACK LAKEYTORONTO STARTTC Week: Readers get choked up about idling buses: The Fixer http://www.thestar.com/yourtoronto/the_fixer/2015/02/23/ttc-week-readers-get-choked-up-about-idling-buses-the-fixer.html
599dee19-c701-44a1-8f89-fae89f355aebMon, 23 Feb 2015 14:44:21 EST<img src="http://www.thestar.com/content/dam/thestar/yourtoronto/the_fixer/2015/02/23/ttc-week-readers-get-choked-up-about-idling-buses-the-fixer/ttc-buses.jpg.size.xxlarge.original.jpg"><br/>Buses that spew diesel fumes while idling are a "spit in the face" to emission reduction efforts, says an environmental activist.
Jack Lakey - Staff ReporterTTC buses are exempt from a city bylaw that prohibits vehicles from idling for more than one minute, but some people think there's no good reason for them to idle, except in extreme weather.LUCAS OLENIUKTORONTO STARFor TTC Week, riders complain about complaints: The Fixer http://www.thestar.com/yourtoronto/the_fixer/2015/02/22/for-ttc-week-riders-complain-about-complaints-the-fixer.html
e4fa0222-f0a7-4bc2-907c-dd9530630695Sun, 22 Feb 2015 20:46:54 EST<img src="http://www.thestar.com/content/dam/thestar/yourtoronto/the_fixer/2015/02/22/for-ttc-week-riders-complain-about-complaints-the-fixer/screengrab.jpg.size.xxlarge.original.jpg"><br/>One says the online complaint form is a "pacifier," while another suggests complaints are down because it isn't worth the bother.
Jack Lakey - Staff ReporterThe TTC has a detailed process for recording and investigating complaints, and promises a reply to everyone who asks for one, but some customers say it falls short of the mark.
ttc.caLeft turn signal often means the bus is not changing laneshttp://www.thestar.com/yourtoronto/the_fixer/2015/02/20/left-turn-signal-often-means-the-bus-is-not-changing-lanes.html
25d38aa0-b164-4a0f-8a71-28ca67f17ee6Fri, 20 Feb 2015 17:46:59 EST<img src="http://www.thestar.com/content/dam/thestar/yourtoronto/the_fixer/2015/02/20/left-turn-signal-often-means-the-bus-is-not-changing-lanes/img5651jpg.JPG.size.xxlarge.original.jpg"><br/>We begin TTC Week by explaining why bus drivers use their left turn signal but stay in the same lane after pulling away from TTC stops.
Jack Lakey - Staff ReporterBus drivers always use their left turn signal when pulling away from TTC stops in the curb lane of multi-lane streets, even if they're not moving into the next lane, which can be confusing to drivers behind them.JACK LAKEYTORONTO STARSidewalk snow clearing gets a failing grade on Finch Ave.: Fixerhttp://www.thestar.com/yourtoronto/the_fixer/2015/02/18/sidewalk-snow-clearing-gets-a-failing-grade-on-finch-ave-fixer.html
4fb5c3ac-6ade-413c-b0c6-668480401687Wed, 18 Feb 2015 18:28:02 EST<img src="http://www.thestar.com/content/dam/thestar/yourtoronto/the_fixer/2015/02/18/sidewalk-snow-clearing-gets-a-failing-grade-on-finch-ave-fixer/the-fixer.JPG.size.xxlarge.original.jpg"><br/>The sidewalk on the south side, east of Don Mills Rd., is thick with snow, while others in the area have been cleared.
Jack Lakey - Staff ReporterThe sidewalk on the south side of Finch Ave., between Don Mills Rd. and Seneca Hill Dr., remains covered with snow, despite feeble attempts to clear it by sidewalk plows.JACK LAKEYTORONTO STAROld utility poles won’t go down without a fight: The Fixerhttp://www.thestar.com/yourtoronto/the_fixer/2015/02/17/old-utility-poles-wont-go-down-without-a-fight-the-fixer.html
51c3b255-59db-4d3d-9f86-86b7a8dd36c6Tue, 17 Feb 2015 17:54:26 EST<img src="http://www.thestar.com/content/dam/thestar/yourtoronto/the_fixer/2015/02/17/old-utility-poles-wont-go-down-without-a-fight-the-fixer/leaning-poles.JPG.size.xxlarge.original.jpg"><br/>When the owners asked Bell Canada to remove two rickety old poles in their back yard, they were told they'd have to pay for it.
Jack Lakey - Staff ReporterTwo old and leaning utility poles in the backyard of a home on Fourth St. belong to Bell Canada, but when the homeowners asked Bell to remove them, they were told they'd have to pay for it.JACK LAKEYTORONTO STARDrivers beware — sunken utility cover lurks around the bend: The Fixer http://www.thestar.com/yourtoronto/the_fixer/2015/02/16/drivers-beware-sunken-utility-cover-lurks-around-the-bend-the-fixer.html
c8c74d23-21be-4ffd-98cd-9c0106ec323dMon, 16 Feb 2015 17:38:36 EST<img src="http://www.thestar.com/content/dam/thestar/yourtoronto/the_fixer/2015/02/16/drivers-beware-sunken-utility-cover-lurks-around-the-bend-the-fixer/giant-hole.jpg.size.xxlarge.original.jpg"><br/>The asphalt surrounding a utility chamber near Kipling Station has crumbled, leaving a huge hole drivers can't see until they're on top of it.
Jack Lakey - Staff ReporterCrumbling pavement around a utility cover on Subway Cres., next to the passenger dropoff at the Kipling TTC station, has left a huge hole that drivers rounding a corner can't see until they're almost on top of it.JACK LAKEYTORONTO STARNews box railing gets in the way of pedestrians and plows: Fixerhttp://www.thestar.com/yourtoronto/the_fixer/2015/02/15/news-box-railing-gets-in-the-way-of-pedestrians-and-plows-fixer.html
2c4b8837-51b2-4b05-b6ee-19ab82c4e80dSun, 15 Feb 2015 14:48:24 EST<img src="http://www.thestar.com/content/dam/thestar/yourtoronto/the_fixer/2015/02/15/news-box-railing-gets-in-the-way-of-pedestrians-and-plows-fixer/fixer-pic.jpg.size.xxlarge.original.jpg"><br/>The area around the boxes hasn't been cleared of snow because the sidewalk plow apparently can't get past it.
Jack Lakey - Staff ReporterA railing to which news boxes are attached puts the squeeze on pedestrians walking south on St. George St., near Harbord St., in front of the Robarts Library. It is also an obstacle to sidewalk snowplows.JACK LAKEYTORONTO STARTake the edge off driving for a more harmonious Toronto: Fixerhttp://www.thestar.com/yourtoronto/the_fixer/2015/02/13/take-the-edge-off-driving-for-a-more-harmonious-toronto-fixer.html
f285eddb-74b6-40bf-bd35-bb808b6814f8Fri, 13 Feb 2015 16:20:09 EST<img src="http://www.thestar.com/content/dam/thestar/yourtoronto/the_fixer/2015/02/13/take-the-edge-off-driving-for-a-more-harmonious-toronto-fixer/traffic-jam.jpg.size.xxlarge.original.jpg"><br/>Better planning of roadwork and clearing obstacles to rush-hour traffic would be a great way to take the edge off the hostile driver and make a more harmonious city.
Jack Lakey - Staff ReporterDriving with more civility, along with smart planning and fewer impediments, would make life better for everyone in a city fed up with congestion, Jack Lakey argues.JACK LAKEYTORONTO STARDoors closed at community recreation centres on Family Day: The Fixerhttp://www.thestar.com/yourtoronto/the_fixer/2015/02/13/doors-closed-at-community-recreation-centres-on-family-day-the-fixer.html
03c6e8c2-c48d-457c-b3b6-9722b37dcdcfFri, 13 Feb 2015 14:38:12 EST<img src="http://www.thestar.com/content/dam/thestar/yourtoronto/the_fixer/2015/02/13/doors-closed-at-community-recreation-centres-on-family-day-the-fixer/milliken-park-community-centre.jpg.size.xxlarge.original.jpg"><br/>Kids will be bored and looking for something to do on the holiday Monday, but it won't be at the city's community centres.
Jack Lakey - Staff ReporterExcept for a few pools and rinks, most city recreation centres will be closed to casual recreational use on the Family Day holiday, leaving families looking for inexpensive fun out in the cold.LUCAS OLENIUKTORONTO STAREvasive action required to dodge sunken utility chamber: The Fixerhttp://www.thestar.com/yourtoronto/the_fixer/2015/02/11/evasive-action-required-to-dodge-sunken-utility-chamber-the-fixer.html
0d66e878-c770-4ea6-b170-90d4cb035492Wed, 11 Feb 2015 17:34:40 EST<img src="http://www.thestar.com/content/dam/thestar/yourtoronto/the_fixer/2015/02/11/evasive-action-required-to-dodge-sunken-utility-chamber-the-fixer/sinking-manhole.jpg.size.xxlarge.original.jpg"><br/>It’s in a pedestrian crosswalk at Dundas and Greenwood, where it gets in the way of pedestrians and drivers.
Jack Lakey - Staff ReporterPylons cover a sinking utility chamber in a pedestrian crosswalk at Dundas St. and Greenwood Ave., which forces sothbound drivers on Greenwood to take evasive action to go around it.JACK LAKEYTORONTO STARSidewalk snow clearing is a work in progress, or maybe not: The Fixerhttp://www.thestar.com/yourtoronto/the_fixer/2015/02/10/sidewalk-snow-clearing-is-a-work-in-progress-or-maybe-not-the-fixer.html
6429b0cb-1313-4a9d-ba7f-638de6d188d7Tue, 10 Feb 2015 18:26:58 EST<img src="http://www.thestar.com/content/dam/thestar/yourtoronto/the_fixer/2015/02/10/sidewalk-snow-clearing-is-a-work-in-progress-or-maybe-not-the-fixer/snow-covered-sidewalk.jpg.size.xxlarge.original.jpg"><br/>A reader says a sidewalk plow messes up their immaculate hand shoveling, while another says the sidewalk in front of his building is never cleared.
Jack Lakey - Staff ReporterThe sidewalk in front of an apartment tower at 100 Pembroke St. wasn't shoveled after the weekend snowfall, leaving pedestrians to trample a path through it. Area residents say it is never shoveled.JACK LAKEYTORONTO STAROverhead heaters not so hot at Rouge Hill GO station: Fixerhttp://www.thestar.com/yourtoronto/the_fixer/2015/02/09/overhead-heaters-not-so-hot-at-rouge-hill-go-station-fixer.html
3113bc3b-2170-447e-a407-d03ce620fc28Mon, 9 Feb 2015 18:59:46 EST<img src="http://www.thestar.com/content/dam/thestar/yourtoronto/the_fixer/2015/02/09/overhead-heaters-not-so-hot-at-rouge-hill-go-station-fixer/shelter-heater.jpg.size.xxlarge.original.jpg"><br/>Some newly installed heating units in trackside shelters work great, but others don't turn on when the button is pushed.
Jack Lakey - Staff ReporterOverhead heaters in some of the passenger shleters next to the train tracks at the Rouge Hill GO station aren't working, during one of the coldest spells of the winter.Jack LakeyToronto StarMcRoberts Ave. is soiled by dirt piled next to curb: Fixerhttp://www.thestar.com/yourtoronto/the_fixer/2015/02/08/mcroberts-ave-is-soiled-by-dirt-piled-next-to-curb-fixer.html
c9cb35b3-5812-457b-b460-987476b4c0d6Sun, 8 Feb 2015 20:01:10 EST<img src="http://www.thestar.com/content/dam/thestar/yourtoronto/the_fixer/2015/02/08/mcroberts-ave-is-soiled-by-dirt-piled-next-to-curb-fixer/fixer-pic.jpg.size.xxlarge.original.jpg"><br/>A woman who lives next to the dirt pile says she's been calling the city since November, but it's still there.
Jack Lakey - Staff ReporterAntonetta Fantauzzi glares at a long pile of dirt she's been trying to get rid of for months, next her house, at the corner of McRoberts and Eglinton Aves.JACK LAKEYTORONTO STARIce from leaky water main puts death grip on parked cars: Fixerhttp://www.thestar.com/yourtoronto/the_fixer/2015/02/06/ice-from-leaky-water-main-puts-death-grip-on-parked-cars-fixer.html
5c1af650-264b-4b7a-8e29-7fe6e4a27166Fri, 6 Feb 2015 19:05:45 EST<img src="http://www.thestar.com/content/dam/thestar/yourtoronto/the_fixer/2015/02/06/ice-from-leaky-water-main-puts-death-grip-on-parked-cars-fixer/fixer-car.JPG.size.xxlarge.original.jpg"><br/>Vehicles on the south side of Heath St. are locked in place by a thick sheet of ice that reaches to the bottom of their doors.
Jack Lakey - Staff ReporterParked cars on the south side of Heath St. are immobilized by thick ice that has formed around them, from a water main leak near Heath and Walmer Rd. Toronto Water was still trying to pinpoint the leak on Friday.JACK LAKEYTORONTO STARDerelict fork truck overstays its welcome on Daisy Avenue: The Fixer http://www.thestar.com/yourtoronto/the_fixer/2015/02/04/derelict-fork-truck-overstays-its-welcome-on-daisy-avenue-the-fixer.html
eb22cfc9-17cb-4ae2-8dec-8a020f1bb810Wed, 4 Feb 2015 18:54:54 EST<img src="http://www.thestar.com/content/dam/thestar/yourtoronto/the_fixer/2015/02/04/derelict-fork-truck-overstays-its-welcome-on-daisy-avenue-the-fixer/derelict-truck.jpg.size.xxlarge.original.jpg"><br/>It has languished on the street for months, likely due to a broken axle and wobbly front wheels.
Jack Lakey - Staff ReporterA broken-down fork lift with the front wheels falling off has languished in a parking spot on Daisy Ave. for nearly two months, despite complaints from local residents to 311.JACK LAKEYTORONTO STAR